Groping for the job in which Fate decrees you will eventually find yourself is very difficult if you are unaware of its existence. Without recourse to the Delphic Oracle, those who are uncertain as to where their interests lie should first establish the range of work open to them.

While by no means exhaustive, the following notes should provide a broad outline of the type of graduates who take up appointments in the Public Service each year. There it no attempt made here to cover degrees which are directed toward entry into specialised professions such as law, engineering and forestry.

For those unfamiliar with it, the Service comprises thirty-four departments excluding Railways, Post Office Broadcasting and the Teaching Service.

Science degrees

The various branches of science are too extensive to treat in any detail, but in general it is true to say that for substantive scientific research work, the major employing departments such as the D.S.I.R.. the New Zealand Forest Service, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries usually seek first or upper-second-class Honours degrees and competition is keen. In these Departments there are fewer opportunities at bachelor level, although some occur in technician, library, editing and information areas.

Arts degrees

Subject to vacancies arising, arts graduates in most disciplines are placed in almost every department. The work they do is usually of an advisory, investigating, research or clerical nature (the latter not to be confused with filing, typing or sorting invoices!). The emphasis in the selection of any arts graduate is placed on his or her ability to assess proposals and problems intelligently, and to be able to write clearly and coherently. The majority of positions occur in Wellington at Head Office level and it is rare for appointments to be made in Christ -church, Dunedin or Auckland.

For some careers, majors in specific subjects are required, (e.g. vocational guidance, town planning).

Economics and Accountancy

Graduates in both fields will find that their degrees are directly relevant to the work of most departments. Positions are mainly in Wellington.

Mathematics

Mathematicians are employed in most departments in a variety of fields from biometrics and statistical analysis to operations research and meteorological research. In certain areas a particular combination of subjects may be necessary (e.g. mathematics and physics for meteorology) and in others a postgraduate qualification (e.g. some research positions in the New Zealand Electricity Department).

Although departments naturally take account of good level grades, they arc equally concerned with personal acceptability, as most graduates work in small sections in which a congenial environment is essential.